A letter from Eugene Mowad, M.D., vice dean of the College of Medicine, regarding the Yassine Gross Anatomy Laboratory:
As originally promised, Dean Young and I are getting back to you regarding the resolution of the air quality concerns that led to the temporary closure of the anatomy lab. As you may know, internal preliminary testing indicated increased irritant levels of formaldehyde from a limited number of cadavers. Those cadavers were promptly removed from the educational setting. Subsequent internal and independent external testing for the remaining cadavers revealed levels below accepted regulatory limits. Confirmation of safe levels allowed for students, faculty, and staff to safely return to the lab. Four-hour time limits were put in place for students to conservatively ensure safe exposure levels. Last week, the Curriculum Management and Assessment Committee (CMAC) approved the plan set forth by Dr. Chris Vinyard, the course director for the M1 Anatomy/Human Development and Structure course to return to its standard modality of student cadaveric dissection for the third and final module of the course. Students were given the option individually to choose cadaveric dissection for module 3 or to continue to use the virtual dissection product used in module 2. We again want to thank the HDS faculty, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, the Office of Compliance and Risk Management, the College of Medicine Dean’s Office and the student body for their collaboration and patience as we worked to resolve this matter.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our office. Thank you for your ongoing support of the NEOMED College of Medicine and our students.
With regards,
Eugene M. Mowad, M.D.
Vice Dean, College of Medicine
Senior Associate Dean, Academic Affairs